Informing Choices Mini-Pod

In a world where an ever broadening perspective on sustainability is gaining more and more traction, biodegradable, re-use, and recyclable packaging is becoming the norm across many sectors. Increasingly, brands are being viewed within the context of their sustainability credentials. But is the current pace of change fast enough? And how do the other trends we are seeing – in consumer behaviour in retail, for example - impact the future direction of travel for packaging?

To discuss The Future of Sustainable Packaging Lead Consultant and Founder of packaging consultancy Root Innovation, Tracy Sutton joins me on the podcast.

You can learn more about Tracy and her work via the Root website root-innovation.com, contact her at [email protected], and connect on LinkedIn.

Image Source: Stux - https://pixabay.com/photos/plastic-waste-environment-pollution-3962409/

Meat consumption with large environmental and ethical implications is expected to grow in the future. Some studies, however, take the opposite view, that meat consumption is at a turning point because of a growing number of vegetarians and other factors in industrialised countries. In either case, the environmental and health implications of meat production and consumption will continue to be the focus of much attention.

So to discuss the Future of Meat Production and Consumption I am delighted to welcome Diana Davidson, who helps enterprises develop strategy for the zero carbon emissions economy, back to the podcast.

You can learn more about Diana and her work on LinkedIn, on Twitter, and on her website, vertemis.com.

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As our world becomes increasingly digitised, our understanding of how our minds work is also increasing. Part of that understanding is leading to developments in artificial intelligence (AI). Meanwhile, rapid changes in our professional and private lives are in part, based on the march of digitisation including AI  across life, society, and business and have highlighted the increasing importance of our mental health and personal wellbeing.

Given this context, what is The Future of Coaching in a Digitised World? To consider this question, I am joined by Craig Forster, a professional Coach to sales leaders and professionals.

You can learn more about Craig and his coaching business on his personal and business Facebook pages and and on LinkedIn. 

Image  Source: Gerd Altmann https://pixabay.com/photos/psychology-psyche-mask-wire-rack-2706902/

Even without the Covid19 pandemic, the world was undergoing complex changes that were drastically transforming the way businesses access and leverage the skills required for optimal business growth. Add to that underlying change the possible – some might say highly likely – rapid switch to technology enabled home, remote, and hybrid working and suddenly building and maintaining future-fit organisations becomes a crucial imperative.

Given this context of continuous change, what is the Future of Continuous Change on Work? To consider this question, I am joined on the podcast by future of work specialist Cathryn Barnard.

You can learn more about Cathryn and her business at workingthefuture.com.

Image Source: Gerd Altmann https://pixabay.com/photos/time-clock-time-spiral-spiral-3103599

The Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted social inequalities around the world and yet in some cases, national responses have also provided potential glimpses of how the gap might be narrowed.

The question raised by Economist, Trend Analyst, and Futurist Bronwyn Williams in her contribution to the book, Aftershocks and Opportunities –Scenarios for a Post-Pandemic Future (Talwar, R., Wells, S., Whittington, A. Eds (2020). Aftershocks and Opportunities - Scenarios for a Post-Pandemic Future. London, UK: Fast Future) was, “Will 2020 be a great equaliser or a great divider?”

So with 2020 as the baseline, I am delighted to welcome Bronwyn to the podcast to explore the Future of the Social Separation.

You can learn more about Bronwyn and her work by following her on Twitter @BronwynWilliams or by referring to the Flux Trends website fluxtrends.com.

Image Source: Navaadih https://pixabay.com/photos/bridge-girl-2483498/

The dynamics of recruiting are changing, and changing fast. For tech-savvy recruiters, there’s a whole gamut of options: from automated applicant tracking systems, to video-based interview platforms, to gamified skills assessments, to simulations of on-the-job scenarios using virtual reality. All of which can take place in a remote environment.

The Covid pandemic has accelerated remote working and is likely to leave behind a more decentralised hybrid work model. Overlay that with the post-pandemic economic scenarios and we have an increasingly uncertain future environment. So what is the Future of Recruitment? To consider this question, I am joined on the podcast by Human Resources Consultant, International Job Coach, and Mentor Ron Mayne.

You can learn more about Ron and his business at yournewtomorrow.eu, contact Ron by email, and connect with him on LinkedIn.

Image Source: Tumisu https://pixabay.com/photos/job-interview-hiring-hand-shake-3790033/

Tackling fake news and disinformation is an ethical challenge, highlighted throughout the Covid-19 pandemic. New technologies provide the opportunity for the distribution of disinformation created by humans and increasingly by artificial intelligence, and spread via social media. Countering disinformation and earning trust for honest communication is an increasingly critical enabler to developing a positive reputation for enterprise and public sector organisations alike.

So with this backdrop, and the ability for people, organisations, and autonomous systems to create content in ever greater volumes, what is the Future of Ethics in PR?

To consider this question, I am joined by PR Consultant Islay O'Hara.

You can learn more about Islay and her work on islayohara.co.uk, LinkedIn, and Twitter.

Image Source: https://pixabay.com/illustrations/business-idea-style-concept-goals-1869266/

The need to produce food for increasingly urbanised populations in ways that pays attention to the requirements for minimising carbon emissions and therefore help to minimise climate change is clear. Carbon emissions come from: 

So what is the future of agricultural efficiency? To consider this question, I am joined on the podcast by Adam Greenberg, CEO of Seattle-based Iunu an industrial computer vision company.

You can learn more about Adam, his business, and the technologies he works with work at iuni.com and contact him at [email protected].

Image Source: Jatuphon Buraphon https://pixabay.com/photos/greenhouse-organic-farming-2139526

As our world becomes ever more uncertain with exponential change punctuated with ever more disruptive events, enterprise, governments, and third sector organisations are trying to come to terms with creating resilient and flexible policy and strategy. Given that challenge, what role might foresight play in supporting this work? And particularly, what might the role be for intelligent systems to enhance human capability?

To discuss the Future of Intelligent Foresight Systems, I am joined by entrepreneur and CEO of Finland-based FIBRES Online Panu Kause to the podcast.

You can learn more about Panu by searching for his “unique name” or by going to the FIBRES website at fibresonline.com.

Image Source: Gerd Altmann https://pixabay.com/illustrations/dialogue-system-web-news-personal-2546121

The recent BBC Ideas video “How safe is it to hack the ageing process?” is an interesting indication that the notion of managing, delaying, or even stopping the ageing process is becoming mainstream. The idea of immortality has been a dream for many people for as long as humanity has existed, but what is the reality of anti-ageing approaches and technologies? Are we really on the cusp of being able to cure ageing?

To talk about The Future of Ageing, I am delighted to welcome futurist speaker, analyst, commentator, and writer David Wood to the podcast.

You can learn more about David and his work on LinkedIn, on Twitter, and londonfuturists.com.

Image Source: Annca https://pixabay.com/photos/hourglass-clock-time-period-hours-2910951 1